Construction of venetian blinds



Dec- 18, 1956 w. TuRKowsKl CONSTRUCTIN OF VENETIAN BLINDS 5 Sheets-Sheetl Filed May 25. 1951 fiel.

W. TURKOWSKI CONSTRUCTION OF' VENETIAN BLINDS Dern 18, 195e 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25, 1951 DecD 28, 1956 w. TuRKowsKl 2,774,48

CONSTRUCTION OF VENETIAN BLINDS Filed May 25, 1951- 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR. fn-rse @eran/5w Fri-omver Dec. 18, 1956 Filed May 25. -1951 w.TuRKowsKl 2,774,418

CONSTRUCTION OF VENETIAN BLINDS 5 sheets-sheet 4 Ffa. 7;

Dec. 18, 1956 w. 'ruRKowsKl 2,774,4l8

CONSTRUCTION OF' VENETIAN BLINDS Filed May 25, 1951' 5 Sheets-Sheet 5www! . .Z'N we l Taz M7475@ Wekaww/ United States Patent CoNsTRUCTIoN onVENETIAN BLINDS Walter Tnrkowski, Hollywood, lll., assignor to WaiterTurkowski and Bernice Tnrkowski, Hollywood, lll.

Application May 25, 1951, Serial No. 228,161

6 Claims. (Cl. 160-118) My invention relates to adjustable window blindsof the type commonly known as Venetian blinds.

My invention relates more particularly to Venetian blinds of the typethat are adapted to be suspended vertically rather than the usualhorizontal position.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide universallyadjustable Venetian blinds of the type which may be vertically suspendedin a window, may be opened or closed, partially opened or closed, drapedfrom the top towards both sides of the bottom of the window, or as abody slid to the side of the window so that there is no apparent blindof any kind in front of the window.

Heretotore applicant has provided various constructions of verticalVenetian blinds, blinds which have included adjustments whereby they maybe turned about a vertical axis to control the amount and direction oflight and air, or may be gathered or draped at the lower end.

The present invention goes one step further in that it now providesmechanism for moving a plurality of normally vertically disposed slatsor shutters sideways to permit disclosing practically the entire windowand presenting the effect of having no blinds whatsoever hanging infront of the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide multipally adjustablevertical Venetian blinds which include two sets of equally spacedvertically disposed blinds mounted in a unitary frame adapted to be hungin the window frame.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved multipallyadjustable vertical Venetian blind which includes a pair of sets ofvertically `disposed slats or shutters and identical mechanismassociated with each for controlling both the location and position ofits particular set of slats, both sets being mounted in a unitary framecapable of being suspended in a window frame.

Other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the followingdescription wherein reference is had to the accompanying sheets ofdrawings, upon which Fig. l is a front elevational view showing one ofthe multipally adjustable vertical Venetian blind units mounted inposition in a window frame;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof taken on the line 2-2 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the parts shown in Fig. 2 withportions broken away to more clearly show other parts;

Fig. 4 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the parts shown in Fig.4;

Fig. 6 to Fig. 13 inclusive are generally diagrammatic views showing thevarious combinations or window eiects which may be accomplished byemploying the construction which I provide, and are described asfollows:

In Fig. 6 both sets of shutters are in their vertical open position;

In Fig. 7 both sets of shutters are closed to exclude air and light;

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Fig. 8 shows both sets of shutters as draped toward the bottom;

In Fig. 9 both sets of shutters are pushed to the side as tar aspossible, generally exposing most of the window surface to direct airand light;

In Fig. 10 the left shutter is swung to the left as far as possible topermit air and light to enter, and the right shutter is hung in thenormal vertical position;

In Fig. 11 the left shutter is shown with the vertical slats turnedabout their -axis to completely shut out air and light, and the rightshutter is moved entirely to the right side, exposing the entire righthalf of the window to air and light;

In Fig. 12 the left shutter is completely collapsed against the leftside of the frame, and the right shutter is shown in a draped position;and

In Fig. 13 the left shutter is draped toward the bottom and the rightshutter is hung vertically suspended permitting air and light to enter.

In the embodiment of the invention which I have chosen to illustrate anddescribe the same, in Fig. l I have shown a Venetian blind unit whichemploys two sets of adjustable vertically disposed slat members, theunit comprising -a U-shaped frame including the two side frame members16 and 18 connected to the top cross-frame member 20. The topcross-frame member may have a rod 22 extending through the end walls 24and 26 of the same, the rod acting as a support for the entire unit andbeing supported at its ends upon suitable bracket members 28 fastened tothe side walls of the window frame 36, each of the brackets 2S having anopen-ended slot 32 whereby the rod 22 can be inserted from the top andpermitted to settle in the slots 32.

The lower ends of the side frame members 16 and 18 may be suitablyfastened to the vertical Walls of the window sill 30 by means of 'screwmembers 34 which extend through slots 36 in the frame and into the sideof the window frames. As previously mentioned, a pair of groups ofvertically disposed slats may be hung in each of the window blind umts,each set of slats S including top and bottom control members 40, bestshown as units in Figs. 4 and 5.

Each of the control members or assemblies may include a pair of spacedparallel arm members 42 and 44 connected at one end by a pivoted lever46 and at their extended ends by a slat yoke 48.

Each of the pivoted levers 46 is adapted to be mounted on a side bracket50, the brackets having a vertical Wall 52 aligned with the inside ofthe side frame members 16 and 18, being fastened thereto by a screwmember 53 that extends through the vertical slot 36 previouslymentioned. Each of the brackets S0 also has a forwardly extending handleportion 54 capable of manual manipulation to raise and lower theassemblies 40, as will be hereinafter described.

The control members 40 associated with each set of vertical slats, maybe fastened together by a vertical rod member 56 securely fastened tothe upper side bracket 50 and extend through a slot 5S in the lower sidebracket 50, the lower end of the rod having a pivoted wing portion 60connected thereto so that when the wing is turned at right angles it maybe passed through the elongated slot 62 in the lower bracket 50 todisconnect the same. This is necessary for certain adjustments whichwill be later described.

The control members 40 may have a plurality of yoke members 4S connectedbetween the side arms 42 and 44 of the same by means of bolt members 66which pass through openings in the sides of the arm members 42 and 44and receive a cotter pin 68 which is dropped through a pair of armmembers 70 on the sides of the yokes 48. Each of the yokes is providedwith an arcuately shaped n individual axes, and-means yslot 72 throughwhich a verticallyldisposed slat S may end slat S. Y Y n With theconstruction I have thus provided a number of possibilities` are readilyapparent. In the iirst place,-it is obvious that the entire frame memberor unit isV capable ofV being lifted otlf of the supportbracketsl'fo'rwashing, repairror replacement. f

Vmember are always fixedly connected at this point to the a side framemember, turning the same about their longitudinal axes, orv draping thesame adjacentV their lower ends, saidY means including a control memberhaving arms on two sides of said slats, yoke members pivotally connectedbetween said arms, said slats'extended through said yokes, a leverconnected Yto a sideV frame member, said arms pivotally connected toVsaidV lever and said lever vertically slidably mounted 1n said sideframe member. Y f

2. A window blind for mounting in a rectangular window frame including aU-shaped frame having a horizontal top cross frame memberand verticalside frame Y members, a rod in said top cross-frame memberthaving its-By referring'toV Figs. 6 to I3, it' can be seen that av number ofinteresting and desirable adjustments. can be made. i Fonexample, inFig, 16,' theV Venetian blind asy Vsembly is shownV with all of the'slats S vertically disposed Yfrom the rod 22 to permit the'imaximum'of'daylight to beL introduced'through 'therwindow frame.Y By moving each ofthe control members sideways, the slats S are rotated about theirverticalaxis suiiciently to effect a completeclosure of the space inthewindow frame. This Y may be done by reasono'f the fact that each of theslats is provided with the elongated slot 91 so that it can hang fromYthe, cross-rod 22, be angularly moved thereon, Vor rotated throughl alarge radiuson the same. yIn Fig: 8 I have shown both of` the lowercontrol merm-V bers 4G loosened from the vertical rod 56 and moveddownwardlyA so that a drape effect is provided by each set of verticalslats. In Fig. 9 I have shown'the slats gathered adjacent the sides oftheV window.' This1 is done by moving downwardly the outer sides of thecontroly members 40 asa unit connected together by the vertical rod S6.In this manner the maxirnum amount of light can be secured through thewindow opening 30.

In Fig. 10 Iv have shown another adjustment which is possible with theconstruction I have provided. In this t adjustment the side assembly 93is closed against the left window frame wall and the right assembly 95is 'shown with theislats in the vertical position to permit light andair to pass between the same.

ends extending beyond both ends of said. top cross-frame member and`adapted to support said window bhnd onV brackets in said Ywindownframe,a plurality of vertically positioned slats, each having means forsupporting saidV slat on saidrod for sliding movement longitudinally ofsaid rod and for pivotal movementV or"V said slats on their individualaxes', and means for imparting sliding movement to said slats to gatherthe'same together adjacent a side frame member, turning the same abouttheir longif tudinal axes, or draping the sameV adjacentV their lowerends, said means including a control member having armsY on two sidesofvs'aid slats, yoke'menibers pivotally .con

Vnected between said arms, said slats, extended through y said yokes, alever connected to a side yframe member, Y

said arms 'pivotally connected to said lever and said lever In Figs.11,7712I andv 13 I have shown the other adjust# I ments in'which theunit may be placed, Fig. 11 showing t generally half of the windowclosed and half openQFig.

152 showing half of theV window open and the other side draped; and Fig;13 showingV one unit with the slats hanging in a vertical position andthe other unit withthe slats draped. Y

It can thusy be seen from the variety of adjustments providedV that theunit is capable of practically universal adjustment and the amount ofair and light which it is desiredto secure can be controlled in avariety of ways. The window closure is thus capable. of a variety ofeffects which yare'not possible with any other type of Venetian blinds,drapes or window shades.Y

WhileI have* illustrated and described a specific embodiment of theinvention, it will be apparent to those `sk1lled inthe art that changesand modications may be made inthe exact details shown and I do not wishto be limited in any particular; rather what I desire to secure andprotect by Letters Patent of theV United States is:

l.. `A window blind for mounting in a rectangular window frame includingaV U-shaped frame havingV a horizonal. top cross frame member andkvertical side frame members, a rodin said top cross-frame member havingits ends extending beyond both ends of said top cross-frame member andadapted to support said window blind Von rbrackets in said window frame,a plurality of vertically positioned slats, each having means forsupporting said slatsV on said rod for sliding movement longitudinallyof said rodpand for pivotal movement'of said slats on. their forimparting sliding moveV ment `tosai'd slats togather the. same together`adjacent vertically slidably mounted in said side frame member, e saidarms also pivotally connected to the end Yslat from the side framemember. Y

3. A window blind for mounting in a rectangular win-V dow frameincluding a U-shaped frame having a horizontal top cross frame memberand vertical side frame members, a rod in said top cross-frame memberhaving its ends extending beyond kboth ends of said top cross-frame Ymember and adapted totsupport said window blind on brackets in saidwindow frame, a pair of sets of vertically positioned slats, eachVslat'in each set having means for supporting said slat on said rod forsliding movement longitudinally of Y said rod and for pivotal Vmovementof said slats on their individual axes, and means for imparting slidingmovement to said slats to gather the same together adjacent a side framemember, turning the same abouttheirlongitudinal axes, or draping thesame adja-V cent their-lower ends, said means including two sets ofcontrol members, each set having arms on two sides of` said slats, yokemembers pivotally connected between said arms, a set of said slatsextended through said yQkeS, a lever for each set lof slats, oneconnected to each of said side frame members, Said arms` pivotallyconnectedk to said lever and Vsaid lever vertically slidably mounted insaid side frame member.

4. VA window blind for mounting in a rectangular window frame includingaV U-shaped frame having athorizonrtal. top cross frame member andvertical side frame members,v a rod in'said top cross-frame memberhaving its ends extending beyondboth ends of said top cross-frame memberand adapted to support said window blind on brackets in said windowframe, a pair of sets of vertically positionedslats, each slat in eachset having means for supporting said slat on saidv rod for slidingmovement Y. longitudinallyof said Vrod and fort pivotal movement ofsaidl slats on their individual axes, and means for imparting slidingmovement to said Vslats to gather the same together adjacent a Vsideframe member, Vturning the same about their longitudinal axes, or-draping the same adjacentV their lower ends, said meansYincludingtworsets of control members, each set havingY arms onjtwoYsides of said slats, yoke members pivotally connected between saidarms,y a set of said slats extended through'said yokes, 1;

a lever for each set of slats, one connected to each of said side framemembers, said arms pivotallyconnected to said'lever and said lever`vertically slidably mounted in said side frame member, said arms alsopivotallycolfce; t

nected to the end slats from the side frame members whereby when eitherof the control members is operated the set of slats controlled therebycan be turned on its longitudinal axis, moved in a group toward a sideframe member or draped adjacent their lower ends.

5. A window blind for mounting in a rectangular window frame including aU-shaped frame having a horizontal top cross frame member and verticalside frame members, a rod in said top cross-frame member having its endsextending beyond both ends of said top cross-frame member and adapted tosupport said window blind on brackets in said window frame, a pluralityof vertically positioned slats, each having means for supporting saidslat on said rod for sliding movement longitudinally of said rod and forpivotal movement of said slats on their individual axes, and means forimparting sliding movement to said slats to gather the same togetheradjacent a side frame member or turning the same about theirlongitudinal axes, said means including a pair of control members onelocated near said top cross-frame member and one located about mediallyof the length of said slats, each control member having a pair of armsone on each side of said slats, yoke members pivotally connected betweensaid pair of arms, said slats extended through said yokes, the end slatfrom the side frame member being pivotally connected to its yoke andeach control member having a lever connected to a side frame member,each of said pair of arms pivotally connected to one of said levers andsaid levers vertically slidably mounted in said side frame member.

6. A window blind for mounting in a rectangular Window frame including aU-shaped frame having a horizontal top cross frame member and verticalside frame members, a rod in said top cross-frame member having its endsextending beyond both ends of said top cross-frame member and adapted tosupport said Win-dow blind on brackets in said Window frame, a pluralityof vertically positioned slats, each having means for supporting said Yslat on said rod for sliding movement longitudinally of said rod and forpivotal movement of said slats on their individual axes, and means forimparting sliding movement to said slats to gather the same togetheradjacent a side frame member or turning the same about their1ongitudinal axes, said means including a pair of control members onelocated n'ear said top cross-frame member and one located about mediallyof the length of said slats, each control member having a pair of armsone on each side of said slats, yoke members pivotally connected between said pair of arms, said slats extended through said yokes, the endslat from the side frame member being pivotally connected to its yokeand each control member having a lever connected to a side frame member,each of said pair of arms pivotally connected to one of said levers andsaid levers vertically slidably mounted in said side frame member, saidlevers having a rod rigidly connected between the same whereby movementof one in a vertical direction Will move the other.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS2,188,575 McLennan Jan. 30, 1940 2,377,746 Bell June 5, 1945 2,529,714Turkowski Nov. 14, 1950 2,612,220 Turkowski Sept. 30, 1952

